Do You Know Your Soul’s Net Worth?

March 30, 2015

Today’s Word

Bits of Information & Inspiration

Today in History

1867 – U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward signs a treaty with Russia for the purchase of Alaska for $7 million. Despite the bargain price of roughly two cents an acre, the Alaskan purchase was ridiculed in Congress and in the press as “Seward’s folly,” “Seward’s icebox,” and President Andrew Johnson’s “polar bear garden.”

The czarist government of Russia, which had established a presence in Alaska in the mid-18th century, first approached the United States about selling the territory during the administration of President James Buchanan, but negotiations were stalled by the outbreak of the Civil War. After 1865, Seward, a supporter of territorial expansion, was eager to acquire the tremendous landmass of Alaska, an area roughly one-fifth the size of the rest of the United States. He had some difficulty, however, making the case for the purchase of Alaska before the Senate, which ratified the treaty by a margin of just one vote on April 9, 1867. Six months later, Alaska was formally handed over from Russia to the United States. Despite a slow start in U.S. settlement, the discovery of gold in 1898 brought a rapid influx of people to the territory, and Alaska, rich in natural resources, has contributed to American prosperity ever since.

(This day in History, history.com)

Inspirational Words

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!Proverbs 16:16 (NIV)

Today’s Word

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.John 12:46 (NIV)

Thoughts on the Word

One of the great stories in the Gospel of John is Nicodemus. He came to Jesus at night and Jesus told him that those who love the truth come to the light. Later, Nicodemus spoke up for Jesus even though he was ridiculed for it. Then, at the worst possible time politically and religiously, he showed himself as Jesus’ disciple: he took the broken and dead body of Jesus and helped Joseph of Arimathea place him in a tomb. Nicodemus didn’t stay in the darkness. Neither should we. Jesus is the light of the world; if our light cannot be found in him, how deep is our darkness!

Prayer for Today

Father, I want to walk in the light with you. The darkness of Calvary did not extinguish the light in Jesus; it made it burn more brightly for me. At the cross, I see your love for me. At the cross, I realize that Jesus took my sins away. At the cross, I see Jesus’ love for both you and me perfected. Thank you, Father for your gracious salvation. Thank you, Jesus for your incredible sacrifice. In the name Jesus, your perfect Lamb I pray. Amen.